THERE is a certain buzz in the quiet village of Kampung Duvanson, home of a small Kadazan community, at the edge of the Penampang suburb, some 10km from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.

In the past two weeks, there has been much more chatter about one among the 5,000 villagers who has risen to become the chief justice.

The village was originally a community of farmers but many of its residents now are office workers and professionals working in the city. 

Richard Malanjum created history on June 11 when he became the first from Sabah to be appointed to the highest post in the Malaysian judiciary.

And it was in Kampung Duvanson that Richard spent most of his childhood.

Ask for the Malanjum family home and villagers will point to a two-storey wooden house on a hill slope. Built in 1940, the house, which has been unoccupied for several years, now, is looking its age despite the efforts of a caretaker.

Family friend and former neighbour, James Sitawin, described Richard as a “principled man” who is well known for never giving in to pressure.

“I’ve known him for as long as I can remember,” said the 64-year-old pensioner who lives only a few hundred metres uphill of the old Malanjum family home.

Born on October 13, 1954, Richard is from a respectable family. His grandfather was the village chief and his father, a dresser, or doctor’s assistant, who received his training in Singapore.

Richard, is the fourth of five children. His older siblings are Nani, Ignatius, Veronica and the youngest in the family is Benedict.

Sitawin said Richard was born in Tuaran where his father, Sitiwin Malanjum, worked at the health department.

He said the Kadazan community and Sabahans in general were proud of Richard.

“We are all proud although there hasn’t been any celebration or special prayers to mark the event. Richard has not come back to the village since his appointment,” said Sitawin.

“Maybe because now that he is chief justice, he has to limit his outside contacts.

“Possibly, Richard only held a private function to celebrate his appointment. I cannot be sure.”

Another villager who did not want to be named said he has never met Richard but he could sense the villagers’ pride and excitement when news of his appointment was announced.

“I believe Richard deserves this appointment. At least that is what I hear from the other villagers,” he said.

Benedict said his brother Richard would not have stood a chance of becoming the chief justice if  Barisan Nasional (BN) were still in power.

“Of course, we are very happy. But if BN had won the 14th general election, would the federal government have appointed an East Malaysian to this top position? Not a chance,” Benedict said.

He said it was high time East Malaysians were given the chance to climb up the ranks and work alongside the decision-makers of the country.

The 64-year-old Benedict ,who lives in Ulu Putatan, a 20-minute drive from the old family home, said with Pakatan Harapan in charge, East Malaysians were now more optimistic of their future. – July 22, 2018.